MNT on TV: Moving on Up

MNTMar 11, 2016

With a little more than a week away from roster announcements for the double-set of World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and U-23 Olympic Qualifying playoff with Colombia, the next week’s slate of matches represents the final chance for players to “make their case ” to take part in either series. Here’s your viewing guide:

Friday

The weekend kicks off in the German Bundesliga where center back John Brooks and third-place Hertha Berlin will look to hold their one-point advantage over fourth place Schalke when the two teams clash at the Olympiastadion in Berlin (2:30 p.m. ET – Fox Soccer Plus, foxsoccer2go).

In England, Danny Williams and Reading will hope to continue their dream run in the FA Cup, when they host Premier League side Crystal Palace in a quarterfinal match (2:55 p.m. ET – FS2, foxsoccer2go).

The second week of Major League Soccer action gets underway Friday night when the Chicago Fire trio of goalkeeper Sean Johnson, and U-23’s defender Brandon Vincent and midfielder Matt Polster visit Brek Shea and Orlando City SC (7 p.m. ET – UniMas), with both teams looking for their first wins of the young MLS campaign.

The night ends in Mexico where Omar Gonzalez and second place Pachuca will make a play to move back atop the Liga MX table when they pay a visit to seventh place Santos Laguna (10:30 p.m. ET – Azteca America)

Saturday

Fabian Johnson, who has tallied a goal and two assists in his last three matches, leads Borussia Monchengladbach in their bid to move back up the Bundesliga table against Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt (9:30 a.m. ET – FS2). At the same time, Alfredo Morales will hope to get back in the lineup as FC Ingolstadt hosts Stuttgart (FoxSoccer2Go.com).

In England, Geoff Cameron and eighth-place Stoke City will look to go five games unbeaten in the English Premier League when they host ninth-place Southampton (10 a.m. ET – NBCSN, NBC Sports Live Extra). FA Cup action continues in the afternoon when Tim Howard and Everton host U-23 defender Matt Miazga and Chelsea at Goodison Park (12:55 p.m. ET -- FS2 and FoxSoccer2Go.com).

Major League Soccer action continues Saturday, with MLS Live and Direct Kick hosting matches throughout the day, beginning at 3 p.m. ET as Lee Nguyen and the New England Revolution look for their first victory of the season in the team’s home opener against D.C. United. An hour later, Brad Evans misses out through injury while the Seattle duo of Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris will look to bounce back from their season-opening defeat to Sporting KC as they pay a visit to Kyle Beckerman, Nick Rimando and Real Salt Lake. (4 p.m. ET – MLS Live).

In Mexico, William Yarbrough, Miguel Ibarra and third place Club Leon keep the chase up at the top of the Liga MX table when they host Queretaro (9 p.m. ET – NBC Universo). A half hour later, Edgar Castillo and Monterrey will look to extend their top-of-the-table lead with a visit to Morelia (9:30 p.m. ET – Azteca America), while defender Michael Orozco and U-23 hopeful Paul Arriola visit Chiapas (10 p.m. ET – Univision Deportes Network).

Sunday

Back in England, goalkeeper Brad Guzan and Aston Villa will try to bounce back from a tough defeat to title contenders Manchester City as they host another team challenging for the championship, welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to Villa Park (12 p.m. ET – NBCSN, NBC Sports Live Extra).

Action continues in Mexico when Joe Corona and Dorados Sinaloa try to get off the bottom of the Liga MX table when they take on Toluca (2 p.m. ET – Univision Deportes Network).

MLS then closes up its week with a pair of matches between clubs that were all victorious in their season openers. Fresh off a stellar game-winning goal against Chicago, Mix Diskerud along with U-23 striker Khiry Shelton and New York City FC host U.S. captain Michael Bradley and Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium (5 p.m. ET – ESPN2). Chris Wondolowski will look to continue to close the gap with Ante Razov for fourth place all-time in MLS goals as the San Jose Earthquakes host Darlington Nagbe and the defending champion Portland Timbers at Avaya Stadium (7 p.m. ET – FS1).

The weekend caps off with the “superclasico” south of the border as center back Ventura Alvarado and Club America clash with Chivas de Guadalajara at Estadio OmniLife (9:30 p.m. ET – UniMas, Univision Deportes Network).